When most people think about skin cancer, they think about summer. The beach, the boat, the backyard cricket, the long hot days that define life on the Great Lakes coast. So it might seem odd to suggest that winter, of all seasons, is one of the best times to have your skin checked. But there are good reasons the cooler months are ideal, and booking a skin check now could be one of the most worthwhile things you do for your health this year.
Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world, and living on the NSW coast means we carry more of that risk than most. Here’s why winter is the right time to act, what a skin check actually involves, and how to book one at FTMC.
Why Skin Cancer Matters, Especially Here
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Australia by a wide margin. At least two in three Australians will be diagnosed with some form of skin cancer in their lifetime. Melanoma, the most serious type, is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the country, with more than 17,000 new cases expected in a single year.
For a community like ours, these numbers aren’t abstract. The Forster-Tuncurry region is built around an outdoor lifestyle. Fishing, boating, swimming, gardening, walking the beach, working outside. Every one of those things we love about living here adds to a lifetime of sun exposure, and that exposure is the single biggest cause of skin cancer. Around 95 percent of melanomas are linked to UV radiation from the sun.
The encouraging news is that skin cancer is one of the most treatable cancers when it’s found early. When melanoma is caught before it spreads, the survival rate is very high. Left undetected, the outlook becomes far more serious. Early detection genuinely saves lives, and a skin check is the most reliable way to catch a problem while it’s still easy to treat.
So Why Winter?
It might feel natural to book a skin check in summer, when skin cancer is on everyone’s mind. But there are several practical reasons the cooler months are actually a better choice.
Your skin is at its most settled. During summer, skin is often tanned, sunburnt, freckled or irritated from sun exposure. That can make it harder to assess spots accurately, because recent sun changes can mask or mimic the things a doctor is looking for. In winter, after some time out of the intense sun, your skin returns to its baseline. Moles and spots are easier to examine clearly, and any genuine changes stand out more.
You have time before the next high-risk season. If a spot needs to be removed, monitored, or referred on, winter gives you the space to deal with it properly before summer arrives. Nobody wants to be recovering from a minor procedure, or worrying about a suspicious mole, in the middle of the beach season. Getting checked now means you head into the warmer months with peace of mind and a clean slate.
It’s easier to get an appointment. Winter is generally a quieter time for skin checks, which means more availability and less waiting. Come spring and early summer, demand rises sharply as people start thinking about their skin again. Booking in the cooler months usually means you’re seen sooner.
You’ve just come through the highest-UV period. Australia’s UV levels are at their most extreme between November and March. By winter, the damage from that period has had time to show itself. A check now can pick up anything that developed or changed over the summer just gone, rather than waiting another full year.
Who Should Have a Skin Check?
The honest answer is that every adult in Australia benefits from being skin-aware, and most should have their skin professionally checked from time to time. Skin cancer can develop in anyone, regardless of age or skin type, though some people are at higher risk than others.
You should be especially proactive about regular skin checks if you:
- Have fair skin, light hair, or skin that burns rather than tans
- Have spent a lot of time outdoors, for work or recreation, over your life
- Have a history of sunburn, particularly blistering sunburn
- Have a large number of moles, or moles that are unusual in shape or colour
- Have a personal or family history of skin cancer or melanoma
- Have a weakened immune system
- Are over 40, as risk increases with age
There is no single rule that fits everyone. For most adults at low to moderate risk, a professional skin check every one to two years is a sensible baseline. People at higher risk, or those who have had skin cancer before, may need to be checked more often, sometimes every three to six months. Your GP will assess your personal risk factors and recommend a schedule that makes sense for you.
Importantly, you don’t need to wait until you’ve noticed something to book. The whole point of a skin check is to find changes early, often before they’re visible or obvious to you. Preventative screening is about staying ahead of the problem, not reacting to it.
Knowing Your Own Skin
While professional checks are important, some of the most valuable monitoring happens at home. Most melanomas are first noticed by the person who has them, or by their partner. That makes getting to know your own skin one of the most powerful things you can do.
Take the time to become familiar with your moles, freckles and spots, including in places that don’t usually see the sun. Check your back, your scalp, the soles of your feet, and between your toes. It can help to ask someone else to look at the areas you can’t easily see yourself.
When you’re checking, look for anything that has changed. A useful guide is to watch for spots that are new, or that change in size, shape or colour. Be alert to a mole that has an irregular or uneven border, more than one colour, or that is growing, itching, bleeding or simply looks different from the others. If something catches your attention, don’t wait for your next scheduled check. Book an appointment and have it looked at.
What Happens During a Skin Check at FTMC
For many people, it’s uncertainty about the appointment itself that puts them off booking. In reality, a skin check is straightforward, quick, and completely non-invasive.
When you come in, your GP will ask about your history, including any previous skin cancers, your level of sun exposure, and whether you’ve noticed any changes yourself. They’ll then examine your skin, using a special magnifying tool called a dermatoscope to look closely at any spots of interest. This device lets the doctor see detail and structure that isn’t visible to the naked eye, which greatly improves the accuracy of the assessment.
The examination is thorough but respectful. Your GP will explain what they’re doing at each stage, and you’re always in control. You have every right to ask questions, or to decline any part of the check you’re not comfortable with. If your doctor finds a spot that needs a closer look, they may take a small sample, known as a biopsy, to send to a laboratory, or they may remove the spot entirely. In some cases they’ll refer you to a specialist. Many of these steps can be handled right here at FTMC, without you needing to travel.
Several of our GPs have a special interest in skin cancer medicine, and some hold additional qualifications in skin cancer diagnosis, dermoscopy and minor surgery. That means you’re in experienced hands, close to home.
Simple Steps to Protect Your Skin Year-Round
A skin check is one part of looking after your skin. Prevention is the other, and it matters in every season, not just summer. Even in winter, UV levels on the coast can be high enough to cause damage, particularly on clear days and around water.
The familiar advice remains the best advice. Slip on protective clothing, slop on SPF 50 sunscreen, slap on a hat, seek shade during the middle of the day, and slide on sunglasses. Sun damage accumulates over a lifetime, so protecting your skin at every age reduces your risk, and it’s never too late to start.
Book Your Skin Check This Winter
There’s no better time than now. Booking a skin check over the cooler months means clearer skin to examine, more appointment availability, and the reassurance of heading into summer knowing your skin has been properly looked at.
If you’re due for a check, or if you’ve noticed a spot that’s new or changing, our team is here to help. You can book online through HotDoc at any of our practices, or call us on (02) 6555 0444.
Skin checks are available across our four locations:
Forster Tuncurry Medical Centre – 14-16 South Street, Forster (open 7 days)
Macintosh Medical Centre – 97-99 MacIntosh Street, Forster (Mon-Fri)
Pacific Palms Medical Centre – 208 Boomerang Drive, Blueys Beach (Mon-Fri)
South Street Medical Centre – Suite 4, 12 South Street, Forster (Mon-Fri)
A skin check takes very little time, and it could make all the difference. Book yours this winter and give yourself one less thing to think about when summer comes back around.
Book your skin check online or call us on (02) 6555 0444.
This article is general information only and isn’t a substitute for personalised medical advice. If you have concerns about a specific spot or your skin health, please speak with your GP.
